Titterstone Clee G/WB-004
11th February 2018 Titterstone Clee Hill - G/WB-004 533m ASL 2 points (plus 3 Winter Bonus)
SO 592 779 - OS Explorer 203
Disclaimer: This cover image was taken on a previous trip up Titterstone Clee
After a successful activation of Brown Clee Hill an hour earlier and with only a handful of hours of daylight left I was keen summit Titterstone Clee Hill as soon as possible.
Despite it being possible to park most of the way up I chose to park down in the village and hike up to the summit via the quarry workings. It's an enjoyable and varied hike taking the old railway line at the rear of the houses, along the main road and across through the disused workings. From here it gets steeper following a trodden path up to the summit.
At this point the the skies were clear and I could see for miles. Battling the wind I spotted via the SotaSpotter app and made 6 contacts in very quick succession.
Moments after my last contact I went to pack down and noticed the clouds had dropped and visibility had been drastically reduced. Within moments there was a white out - heavy snow in all directions, limited visibility and and persistent, heavy wind. I thought it best to head towards the radar and pick up the footpath knowing this would be a safer and more gradual decent. The weather continued to deteriorate and within 15 minutes there entire hill was covered in snow.
Fortunately I pack well for most eventualities and had suitable clothing for such conditions. None the less it was an eerie experience observing such a rapid change in conditions. I am just please I was on a familiar summit that I've hiked many times before. Down at town level things were looking rather picturesque!